Tyreke Evans to Get a Second Opinion on Injured Left Knee

Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans has missed seven games in a row due to a bum left knee, and he is now seeking a second opinion on the sore joint. Reports the Sac Bee: “Evans targeted Sunday’s game against the Boston Celtics at Sleep Train Arena to take the court for the first time in two weeks. But after practicing and working out in the days leading up to the game, Evans decided he wasn’t ready. Evans practiced Saturday and also got in an extra workout Saturday night, coach Keith Smart said. ‘(Evans) came to shootaround (Sunday morning), and it just wasn’t working for him,’ Smart said. Evans said if he couldn’t play against the Celtics he would seek a second opinion. He has missed 12 games since bruising his left knee in a collision with Minnesota forward Andrei Kirilenko’s knee Nov. 27. An MRI earlier this month showed no structural damage. Since being injured, Evans has appeared in four games, the last Dec. 16 against Denver. He played just 10 minutes before being removed from that game. Before the injury, Evans was playing his best ball of the season while adjusting to the shooting guard role. ‘It’s unfortunate for him because he should be a part of what we’re trying to re-establish,’ Smart said. Smart said Evans’ absence isn’t felt on offense, where his 15.1 points per game are second-best on the team. But Evans had taken to being a better defender, and the Kings don’t have another guard with his size and strength to fill that defensive void.”